Wake sophomore guard plans to sign with agent

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Chris Paul got advice from his coach,
his teammates and his family. He even talked with former Wake
Forest stars Tim Duncan and Josh Howard.

In the end, when it came time to make a decision, Paul relied on
himself.

The All-America point guard is giving up his final two years of
eligibility with the Demon Deacons to enter the NBA draft, the
second in what might be a long line of Atlantic Coast Conference
players leaving school early.

North Carolina guard Rashad McCants made his announcement
Wednesday, and several others -- including Paul's teammate Eric
Williams -- are contemplating the move.

"I just got this feeling maybe a couple of days ago, that this
was what I wanted to do," Paul said Thursday. "This is all still
so surreal. I have no idea that I would even be in this situation
at the end of my sophomore year. I always thought I would play four
years, and then, God willing, I would have an opportunity to play
in the NBA."

Nearly all his teammates attended a news conference on campus,
along with about 30 family members and friends. Coach Skip Prosser
was there, too, along with assistants Jeff Battle and Pat Kelsey.

As a sophomore, Paul was the leading vote-getter on The
Associated Press' preseason All-America team, and he was selected
to the first team after the season. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.6
assists for the Demon Deacons (27-6), who set a school record for
victories.

Wake Forest also was ranked No. 1 for two weeks early in the
season, the first time that's happened. Paul plans to sign with an
agent soon, which would make his departure final.

"It was Chris' decision, and as he said, I think it's an
irrevocable decision," Prosser said. "I don't think it's
necessarily a financial decision. I think it's a decision based on
challenges."

Without Paul, Prosser likely will rely on Justin Gray to fill in
at point guard, a position Gray played a bit as a freshman.
Williams, a 6-foot-9 center, averaged 16 points and 7.7 rebounds in
a breakout season, and he admitted he's also thinking of entering
the NBA draft.

"This is Chris' day, I don't want to do anything to take away
from that," Williams said. "But his decision doesn't affect me.
It's a decision that I'll make for myself, by myself and with my
family. I'm just here to support Chris."

Players must apply for the draft by May 14. If they don't sign
with an agent they can withdraw their name by June 21, one week
before the draft is held.

Paul hasn't yet asked the NBA to advise him where he might be
drafted, although he expects to be a lottery pick. He might even
get to play less than 100 miles down the road if the Charlotte
Bobcats select him.

"I'm sure my mom and my family wouldn't have a problem with
that," he said. "That would be nice to play for the Bobcats, but
I'd just like to play for whoever's got the No. 1 pick."

Paul's image was harmed by an incident in the final game of the
regular season, when he punched North Carolina State's Julius Hodge
in the groin. Paul was suspended for one game and Wake Forest lost
to the Wolfpack in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast
Conference tournament.

That loss likely cost the Deacons a No. 1 seed in the NCAA
Tournament, and they were upset in the second round by West
Virginia. Paul denied it had any effect on his decision.

"None whatsoever," he said. "Julius Hodge, good riddance.
Maybe I'll see you next year."